David Andrews
Ceist:82 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of airline seats available annually on scheduled airline services from the United States to Dublin and Shannon. [4168/95]
Written Answers. - Air Services.
I have no function in this matter. Operating schedules, route services and such matters are the day-to-day responsibility of the airlines concerned having regard to relevant commercial and operational criteria. Aer Rianta has, however, informed me that the total number of airline seats available on scheduled services to Shannon and Dublin from the United States in 1994 was 470,621.
David Andrews
Ceist:83 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the proposals, if any, he has to increase the accessibility of Ireland to visitors from the United States by making more airline seats available, either by increased capacity by Aer Lingus or by providing to other air carriers fifth freedom rights from airports in Ireland. [4169/95]
I have no function in the matter of increasing the accessibility of Ireland to visitors from the United States by making more airline seats available. The question of the level of service to be provided by an airline on any given route is a day-to-day matter for such airline.
Air transport agreements between Ireland and other countries enable Irish and foreign carriers to mount services between Ireland and the relevant countries.The question of whether an airline wishes to exercise its right to operate on any specific route is a matter for the commercial judgement of the airline.
The provision of transatlantic air services between Ireland and the US is governed by the Ireland-US Air Transport Agreement. In accordance with the terms of that agreement designated airlines of both countries are free to operate air services on specified routes between the two countries. There are no limitations on capacity offered by airlines on such services and airlines are free to determine air fares in accordance with their own commercial judgment.
In relation to scheduled air services, which Irish airlines currently enjoy access rights to four US points, US airlines may serve Ireland from any US point. In this regard it should also be noted that the Shannon stop policy has been changed in recent years to allow direct access to Dublin while also maintaining the same level of direct flights to Shannon. US airlines also enjoy unlimited fifth freedom rights at Shannon on scheduled services. In relation to charter services, both Irish and US airlines can operate from any point in the US to Ireland. In the case of charter services to Cork or Connaught Regional Airport, the policy in relation to Shannon does not apply.
Any further changes to an already very liberal agreement would have to be clearly assessed from the point of view of their potential impact on not just tourism, but also the Irish airline industry and regional development. In the aviation world traffic rights are seen as national assets which are normally traded on the basis of reciprocity and equivalent benefits to both sides.
In recent years Aeroflot has continued to develop its services to and from Shannon and it has been fully encouraged by my Department in this development. My Department has given Aeroflot fifth freedom rights at Shannon to Miami and Washington and, on anad hoc temporary basis, to Chicago.